using smartphones aboard

[The Dragon]

I understand ships place a premium on using ure mobile for calls on board but is that the same with the internet service on smartphone ie iPhone etc? Does anyone have any idea how much this might cost?

Thanks

Hannah

[DeltaOne]

I understand ships place a premium on using ure mobile for calls on board but is that the same with the internet service on smartphone ie iPhone etc? Does anyone have any idea how much this might cost?

 

Smartphone, dumb-phone, iPhone -- the cruise line charges them all the same. It's several dollars a minute (I don't have the exact cost). On top of any roaming charges you would normally have. So the charges can add up very fast.

 

It's easy to travel with an iPhone (or any smartphone) and avoid large bills. Turn data roaming off (it's the default anyway) and put the iPhone in Airplane Mode. Airplane mode turns off all the radios, you can't incur extra charges. Or purchase an international travel plan -- but you'll still pay the cruise ship charge on top of that.

 

And, don't forget, you can put the iPhone in Airplane Mode and then turn WiFi back on. Then either use a low-cost or free WiFi hotspot. And, off the ship, you could even use Skype in this way (Airplane Mode, WiFi back on -- then use Skype to place calls). But the ship blocks Skype.

[The Dragon]

Really helpful, thanks for ure comments

Hannah

[West Coast]

Be sure to set you phone to 'data off when roaming' otherwise it will continue to stream (download) and you will see a very BIG bill when you get home.

 

@ sea data roaming is VERY expensive!